Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Not the Least Bit Outdated — Page 2

I am in love with this show, and I think I must be one of the few people on earth who own the DVD of the 1970's film version. It really is quite awful, like an MTV video made by schizophrenics, but it does include an actual performance by Brel himself (he delivers the song "Ne Me Quitte Pas" while sitting at a cafe table, and the camera slowly moves in closer and closer, until his eyes are filling up the screen. It's enough to give you chills.)

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Ne me quitte pas
Il faut tout oublier
Tout peut s'oublier
Qui s'enfuit déjà
Oulbier le temps
Des malentendus .....

You are so lucky to get a show about his songs. A thing we should have had here. Damn

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It is always good fun to see that the translation kept the mind of the song but turned the French do not leave me in "If you Go Away".

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I went last night kicking and screaming to this show, because unfortunately I've never heard of this guy Jacques or what this show was all about. And I had no idea this show had been around for decades - shows you how cold I came into this show.And admittedly, at first, I didn't really get what was going on. Especially when I couldn't see the beautiful set amist the insane amount of fog. But once I "got it" I immediately fell in love with it. And the second half of the show was just the most powerful moments of theatre I've seen all season, on or off-broadway. Robert Cuccioli (who I had to refer to my companions all night as "You know, the Jekyll & Hyde guy") was wonderful. But to me the real stars were Natascia Diaz and Gay Marshall, who brought me to tears in Act Two. Such beautiful performances, I had to ask myself, where have these women been all my life?! Anyway, it was a wonderful piece of theatre, and I was so happy to experience it.

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Gay Marshall played Denise in the Papermill production of The Baker's Wife w/ Alice Ripley and Max Von Essen. She kicked ass in that too and sang French wonderfully.

Someone said the piano player is hot. I'd like to add that the director and assistant director are pretty dreamy themselves... Hehehe.

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I was reluctant to admit online that I'd already gone back, but after being blown away by the show Sunday evening, I felt the need to confirm to myself that it truly was as powerful and inspired as I had thought. And my initial impressions were accurate. It IS terrific. If anything, I was *more* affected by the show tonight. There was no diminishment of impact upon second viewing.

Like Addy, I had seen Jacques Brel many years ago as a twenty year old and had loved it dearly, but tended to focus primarily on the antiwar sentiments. It is interesting how the same show speaks to me about so many other things now that I've raised children and faced some of the gains and losses that are a part of any life. Obviously, the antiwar sentiment is still relevant today, but I've found new meaning in many of the songs now that I've lived more of my life. Songs like Sons Of (to a mother of children of a draftable age), Old Folks (to someone who has recently buried a parent after watching her decline), and My Death (to someone in the middle of some major midlife alterations) have gained layers of meaning for me that I would never have noticed the first time around.

Each of the four actors makes the most of the material, and each has the ability so both sing and act the story being told in a way that makes if feel like we are being taken into their confidence. There are so very many achingly beautiful moments of song.

I'm going to stop because I realize if I go on much longer I'm going to be in danger of being labeled as a crazed psycho-fan, but my enthusiasm is coming straight from my heart.

And on that note, I am now going to fade off to sleep with the eternal optimism of If We Only Have Love (which has been on my short list of favorite songs since I first heard it in the early 70's) echoing in my head.

G'night.

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Updated On: 3/15/06 at 01:12 AM

I saw this show tonight, and I echo Addy and iflit's sentiments exactly.

The production is just fantastic - I found it truly life-affirming. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but I was completely and entirely engrossed in the entire thing. Seamlessly directed, and brilliantly performed, this show doesn't have one week spot.

While I enjoyed, laughed, and was moved by all of the performances, the one that did it for me was the brilliant Gay Marshall. I had never even heard of her before this show, but the second she stepped up to the old-fashioned microphone with a drink in hand to deliver the opening number ,"Le Diable (Ca Va)", I knew that I was really in for something.

This woman is just completely brilliant. Heart-wrenching, even. Just astounding in every way possible.

I didn't think it was possible to be this moved and inspired by a musical revue - which is essentially what this show is - but boy, was I wrong.

To my delight, there was a technical glitch in act two during Gay's "Ne Me Quitte Pas." Apparantly, the lighting didn't work as planned. After singing the song completely, they paused the show for a couple minutes, then announced that the song would be performed AGAIN with the correct lighting. I considered myself extremely lucky to be able to hear her sing that again in the same night. The "real" lighting is with sort of a blue light, and the disco ball projected on the wall to make it look like stars. However, the first time she performed it, it was just her at the edge of the stage with a very dim light on her face - casting shadows everywhere. It was more effective with the incorrect lighting, in my opinion.

So in closing, I cannot recommend this show enough - it's truly one of the best things I have ever seen.

A slight rant and vent: The only reason I am posting this is with the hopes that someone involved with the show will read this, because I was truly pissed off. Behind me sat a group of 5 or 6 people, obviously associated with the show - they were there to observe the show and take notes (since the show is still in previews.) That's fine. HOWEVER. They talked the entire show. I kept shooting them dirty looks but they didn't get it. If any of you are reading this - have some DAMN respect for your audience members.

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I'm happy to hear that it's having that "wanna see it again" effect on other people, too...

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...wondering if we can take over the Zipper for a BWW gathering to see the show together?

It would be wonderful to share with fellow theatre lovers, and to spend time together following the show.

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I'm so happy this show is getting a good response...

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They are.

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That's wonderful news, Munk.